The
following information was obtained from the Vintage Airstream news group.
This is the procedure I used for polishing my trailer. However I started
with an aluminum acid wash to clean off the 50+ years of sap and grime.
I will be shortly posting photos of this polishing process.

The
trailer after acid bath with test spots showing the effectiveness of
the polish. A good wax is recommended after the polishing to preserve
the finish.

There
are many acceptable methods for polishing , however the following procedure
has worked very well for us. Some experimentation is advised to see
what works best for you!

Polishing
Tips There are 3 basic Rolite polish products that when used properly
will produce a beautiful brilliant shine to aluminum, stainless steel,
chrome and painted surfaces. The first product is Rolite pre polish.
This is a slightly more course polish and is used to "break down" never
before polished aircraft or highly oxidized or slightly corroded skin.
The second is Rolite metal polish & fiberglass cleaner. This is an extremely
effective polish and will produce a very nice shine on most all metals.
It is wonderful around the house for Brass pots, planters and especially
for the automobile. The Third is Rolite AP300. This is by far the best
product I have ever used. It is used on aluminum and is effortless in
comparison to using other polishes. Please note, when using AP300, be
sure to use about half of what you would normally use when polishing
a little goes along way. When you use to much you will load up the buffer
pads. Experiment with it and you will figure out how much to use.

Step
1 - For Aircraft that have never been polished or have not been polished
in many years and show heavy oxidation Clean surface of excess dirt,
sand and oil residue with soap & water or solvent. Use Rolite pre polish
and pad # 575. Apply polish by hand in a small 12" x 12" area. Buff
on lowest speed setting until polish is gone. Repeat until you get a
nice bright shine. NOTE - Between applications wipe off black residue
with cleaning solvent. Do not let black residue remain in cracks and
around rivet heads for more than 5-6 hours or it will be very difficult
to remove as it dries very hard. When using a buffer be very careful
and anticipate the direction of pad rotation so you do not hurt the
aircraft or yourself. Also very important keep the pad moving so you
do not burn the metal. A burn mark is a deep bluish brown colored haze
deep in the metal. The best thing you can do is leave the affected area
alone and let it cool and return later to try to buff out the mark.
Sometimes you can not remove them. After pre polishing you will have
a deep shine with very noticeable swirl or pad marks which will be removed
in the next steps. Pre polishing is sometimes the most difficult step
and may take several applications to get the desired results. Remember
to experiment.

Step
2 Repeat the procedures in step 1 using Rolite metal polish & fiberglass
cleaner or Rolite AP300. Sometimes the step after the pre polish will
need the metal polish then AP300. That is dependent upon the quality
of the metal and the desired results. However, I do recommend AP300
as the final polish as it is the best we have found. After polishing,
use solvent to remove the black residue and remove as much black residue
as possible. The solvent will leave a hazy film on the metal. At this
point it is time to final clean to a brilliant shine.

Step
3 Use a clean soft towel and vinegar base glass cleaner ( usually green
colored). Hand rub the haze away leaving the shine. This step must sometimes
be performed just to check the quality of the shine and depending on
your desire results you may have to polish the area again.

Step
4 Rolite makes a polish & sealant that helps protect the finish and
"seals" the shine. It does slightly decrease the shine but it certainly
helps in maintaining the shine. Maintenance To maintain, simply use
a clean soft towel and the vinegar based glass cleaner. In oily areas
you will want to use a different towel and a little solvent. Then follow
up as usual with the glass cleaner. This polish and basic procedure
has helped us achieve champion quality aircraft. There are many variables
involved in the polish process and that is why we recommend experimentation.
I hope these basic procedures will help you achieve the results you
desire on your polished aircraft. If you have any problems or question
please feel free to call us.

Rolite
Products Your cost Suggested Retail

Rolite
Pre Polish 2 lb. can 27.10 33.85

Metal
Polish & Fiberglass Cleaner 1 lb. can 10.95 13.70

3 oz.
Tube 4.75 5.95

AP-300
1 lb. jar 36.00 45.00

Rolite
Premium Polish & Sealant 16 oz. bottle 8.60 10.75

Other
quantities available upon special order. Prices do not include shipping.
Illinois residents subject to sales tax. Thank you and good luck!